Smart Farming Technology by Jeff Dodd
Jeff Dodd has come up with a smart watering device for growing fresh produce.
Although this is directly being applied to the agricultural sector it can be applied in various industries. The system can be able to observe weather data along with soil dryness to be able to best determine when and how much of watering the plants require.
Prototype Summary
Jeff Dodd has come up with a smart watering device for growing fresh produce.
Although this is directly being applied to the agricultural sector it can be applied in
various industries. The system can be able to observe weather data along with soil
dryness to be able to best determine when and how much of watering the plants
require.
The analysis is multi layered as it concerns itself with the following:
• Type of plant (agronomic information that is best understood by farmers)
• Plant watering requirements
• Weather conditions
• Frequency of rainfall
• Vegetation landscape composition
Sensors feed into the computer mainframe which is the Andriuno system and
processes it to ensure that water is periodically and timely used to water the plants.
The internet of things (“IoT”) technology allows the device to automatically dispense
water to the respective plants.
The connection to an external device will be done wirelessly and can be done in
various ways such as the following:
• Bluetooth
• USSD
• Wi-Fi
The watering device will display the information from the device and be able to give
the end user the ability to initiate watering and or stop/delay the watering process. This
device will be connected to a water pump that is able to power the watering system
through the use of wires.
The Idea (the stage at where the project is):
• Product development
The idea is at the product development stage as a model type has been developed.
The testing stage is well underway to best ascertain how effective the technology is.
This watering system will assist a lot of smallholder farmers with growing and
harvesting produce and the average person who is employed and working in the non-
best environments for growing produce.
Product Life Cycle
• Start-up
The product is at the start-up phase at it looks to compete with other products. The
initial idea is to ensure that people in remote locations and locations that do not lend
themselves to being able to conduct crop growing.
Why the idea has no external innovation
The innovation that exists in this industry is largely concerned with using engineering
techniques to solve for mechanical issues which can be costly and require consistent
manual intervention. This innovation focuses on the use of sensors to leverage
technology and provide more efficiency to the produce growing process.
The development of such methodology is existing but continues to experience
additional improvements and this application seeks to build on that.
Production and Materials
- Technical feasibility
The required materials for the production of the device is as follows:
• Moisture sensors – 6 units
• Microservers – 6 units
• Electric water pump – 1 unit
• Wiring – 60 units (connecting the microservers, water pump and moisture sensors)
• Bread board – 1 unit
• Cable ties – 6-10 units
• PVC plastic piping (to make mini stands for the sprinklers) – 6 units
• Plastic cup holders – 6 units
• Screws – 6 units
The device is technically sound and works well. It takes 2-3 hours to assemble, and
the estimated time required to fully develop a final product is 12 months.
The device’s software component uses Arduino (programme language C++). It
collects the data (moisture levels and weather patterns) from the sensors to best
determine when the watering system should be activated.
Business Development
Financial feasibility
Open-source electronic prototyping platform enabling users to create interactive electronic objects.
The cost of assembling the device has not been factored in for this application. The
purchase price of the device is based on a cost-plus basis. This will ensure that base
costs are covered, and that the device will have a smooth roll-out.
Funding considerations also have not been factored in the development of this device.
- Market size
The market for this device is large as it is applicable in mainly the agricultural sector.
In addition, the device can be used for non-farming purposes by people in locations
that are not ideal for farming. People living in flats can be able to best utilize it during
the holiday season.
- Addressable market size
For the purpose of acquiring the market the device plans to meet under 1% in the initial
roll-out and test stage.
- Early adopters, market education and marketing strategy
Targeted group is going to be a mix between residential building dwellers and small
holder farms.
Social Impact of the product and how it affects it target market
This device will positively affect the communities of farmers who require access to
smart technologies to improve farming outcomes and increased crop production which
will go a long to way to ensuring food security throughout the value chain of the
agricultural sector.
• Commercial viability
This product is commercially viable due to the need of most non-farming conducive
retail customers who can benefit from this product. Its competitive advantage is in its
convenience which is in line with people who cannot afford complex and expensive
products for their farming needs.
• Break even analysis
The pricing strategy will be only considered upon final product post testing phase of
the device. The volumes will be derived from the cost base of the research and
development and device build.
• Selling Price
The selling price of the device will be marked up from cost (to order parts, assemble
and roll-out).
• Long term planning and projections
The test phase will show how best to approach the build and roll out of the device.
Further research and development will be conducted on the device to ensure that the
product is market leading.
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